Articulated buckle



A. S. STEINBERG ARTICULATED BUCKLE Filed July 5. 1966 April 8, 1969 15 a 12 flclalkr'lo S INVENTOR MSMY! BY sifinlerg Ream? United States Patent Office 3,436,794 Patented Apr. 8, 1969 3,436,794 ARTICULATED BUCKLE Adalberto Sussman Steinberg, Via Frassinetti 25, Milan, Italy Filed July 5, 1966, Ser. No. 567,033 Claims priority, application Italy, July 7, 1965, 6,591/65 Int. Cl. A44b 11/24 US. Cl. 24-188 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates to a buckle including a substantially rectanglar frame having side bars and cross bars connecting the ends of the side bars, a tongue member pivotally connected to one of said cross-bars and in one end position thereof adapted to engage, with the free end thereof, the other of said cross-bars, and a pivotable loop member pivoted on said one of said crossbar.

The present invention relates to an articulated buckle having a clamping plate provided with strap connection means, particularly designed for footwear, bags in general belts and the like.

At present several types of articulated buckles are commercially known, generally said buckles being formed of an element operating as a loop and attaching means of the buckle to the concerned object.

These known types, although satisfactory from a standpoint of utilization thereof, are not completely free from disadvantages, which may occur mostly at the time of application thereof. In fact, the user during such operation was considerably hindered by the presence of the tongue which caused operation itself to be long and arduous.

The main object of the present invention is to devise an articulated buckle capable of obviating the above-mentioned disadvantages without increasing the construction difficulties or involving a more complicated structural configuration.

Another object of this invention is that said articulated buckle be of an easy application on any kind of article in which provision thereof is desired.

A further and not last object of this invention is that, when applied, said articulated buckle be of an easy and ready use by ensuring a good stability in the long run.

These and still other objects are attained by an articulated buckle according to the invention, characterized by comprising a frame having bar members defining the sides of the frame, a tongue pivoted on one side of the frame, a plate extension rigid with said one side of the frame and extending outwardly therefrom, said plate extension comprising means for clamping the buckle to the desired article, and a joined annular element forming the loop for said buckle, and joined on said one side of the frame.

Further features and advantages will be more apparent from the following detailed description of an articulated buckle according to the invention, shown by way of example in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the articulated buckle according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows the articulated buckle of FIG. 1 in a perspective view and with the loop raised;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a modification of the buckle of FIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring to said figures, the articulated buckle 1 according to the invention comprises a frame 2, the side or cross-bar 3 of which extends outwardly into a clamping plate-like element 4. In this plate-like element 4, a hole 5 is provided for riveting or clamping the buckle to an article and a hole 6 for allowing pivoting of the end 7 of a tongue 8.

The substantially sleeve like ends 9 and 10 of an annular element 11, designed to form the loop of the buckle 1 according to the invention, are pivotally joined on said side 3 and outwardly of said plate 4.

Additionally, the plate-like element or plate 4 is so dimensioned as to be totally covered by the loop member 11 when the latter is lowered (FIG. 1).

A variant of the previously described buckle is perspectively shown in FIG. 3; in such variant, the frame 2a forwardly has a curved thickening 2b, the convexity of which is directed outwardly of the buckle, and rearwardly extending with a plate 4a at the ends provided with edges 12 and 12a downwardly bent and defining a central zone provided with prongs 13 also downwardly directed. This plate 4a is particularly suited for clawing or clamping the buckle according to the invention, for example, to the end of a strap not shown in the figures.

From the foregoing disclosure and illustration it will be apparent that the buckle according to the invention most completely attains all the predetermined objects, particularly as to structure simplicity, easiness and readiness of application, as well as easy usage thereof.

In fact, it will sufiice to raise completely (FIGS. 2 and 3) the loops 11 and 11a to release plates 4 and 4a, respectively, and to render the riveting and clamping by clawing of said plates accessible and readily feasible; in addition, said plate, not projecting outwardly of the loop, will remain concealed when the strap is in lacing position.

A further advantage obtained by the articulated buckle according to the invention is due to the fact that, the loop being raised relative to the plate, insertion and arrangement of the footwear strap will be facilitated.

I claim:

1. A buckle of the class, wherein the buckle is secured to an article of manufacture by a clamping action exerted on a component part thereof, said buckle including a substantially rectangular frame having side bars and crossbars connecting the ends of the side bars, a tongue member pivotally connected to one of said cross-bars and in one end position thereof adapted to engage with the free end thereof the other of said cross-bars and a pivotable annular loop member on said frame, wherein the improvement comprises further in combination a clamping plate member integral with said one of said cross-bars and extending in a direction opposite to said other of said crossbars and having means for clamping said plate on an article of manufacture, said annular loop member being hinged on said one of said cross-bars, and pivotable thereabout, said annular loop member and said clamping plate member having substantially corresponding dimensions in said direction opposite to said other of said crossbars.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 157,395 12/1874 Hersome 24-188 603,024 4/1898 Gaisman 24178 X 1,712,096 5/1929 Sherman 24179 2,215,195 9/1940 Ronci 24-178 2,897,566 8/1959 Albiniano 24-188 BERNARD A. GALEK, Primary Examiner. 

